String instrument

Abstract

A stringed musical instrument, such as a guitar, whereby the lower end of the strings are anchored to the soundboard itself with one or more of the string anchors being positioned past the bridge. This arrangement provides an offset of the lateral compressive forces to the entire soundboard, therefore allowing the soundboard to vibrate more freely in response to the string vibration, and creating an acoustical perpetuating effect. Due to the inherent strength to this design, internal soundboard bracing can be minimized in weight and size as well, which offers a fuller and louder sound, with an increase in sonic balance and sustain. The string instrument also includes a split bridge design with the bridge body secured on the soundboard and having a saddle thereon for providing a contact point with the strings and a string retainer body secured separately from the bridge body on the soundboard and positioned behind the bridge body having directing means to guide each string.

1. A bridge for a string musical instrument that includes a hollow body having a soundboard and soundhole, a neck mounted to the body and one or more strings with string ball ends mounted over the body and neck, the bridge comprising:
 a bridge body secured on the soundboard and having thereon a saddle for providing a contact point with the string; 
 a bridge plate aligned with the bridge body beneath the soundboard, whereby the bridge plate stabilizes the soundboard, the bridge plate having first recessed slots in a direction parallel to the direction of the strings to accommodate the adjustable fastening means, whereby the bridge body can be adjusted along the first recessed slots by loosening the fastening means, repositioning the bridge in parallel with the first recessed slots and tightening the fastening means; and, 
 adjustable means for repositioning the bridge body on the soundboard, the adjustable means comprising adjustable fastening means for securing the bridge body against the soundboard whereby the fastening means can be readily loosened and tightened. 
 
   
   
     2. The bridge of  claim 1  wherein a string retainer body is secured to the sound board and positioned behind the bridge body having directing means to guide each string. 
   
   
     3. The bridge of  claim 2  wherein the string retainer body is of solid material and has a recess through the body whereby said recess is contoured to allow the strings to pass through the recess in a desired horizontal plane. 
   
   
     4. The bridge of  claim 2  wherein the directing means in the string retainer body are large enough to accept the strings, yet small enough to prevent the string balls from passing through, the string balls being flush against the retainer body. 
   
   
     5. The bridge of  claim 1  wherein a string retainer body is secured to the soundboard and positioned behind the bridge having directing means to guide each string. 
   
   
     6. The bridge of  claim 5  wherein the directing means of the string retainer body includes a slot cut into the top of the string retainer body for installation and engagement of a string in the slot. 
   
   
     7. The bridge of  claim 5  wherein the string retainer body has adjustable means for repositioning the string retainer body cross-wise on the soundboard, the string retainer body adjustable means comprising adjustable fastening means for securing the string retainer body against the soundboard whereby the string retainer body fastening means can be readily loosened and tightened. 
   
   
     8. The bridge of  claim 7  wherein the soundboard and the bridge plate has a second set of recessed slots to accommodate the string retainer body adjustable fastening means, the first and second recessed slots being large enough to allow adjustment of the bridge body and string retainer body in a direction cross-wise of the strings.